So I know I have bashed on pop music and have commented on the artists that make the stuff. But in my defense, I really can’t help myself. It’s too easy to make fun of Beyonce or Lady Gaga. I know they work hard and probably even deserve to be on the charts but I still don’t like there music. It’s just not my style. Course I have been told that I should revere Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert. I don’t get it but whatever. Back to pop music. I understand that pop music is short for popular music. And its true. Most of the songs that are considered pop are heard everywhere. Commercials, radio, Safeway, book stores, you will hear these songs and probably even enjoy listening to them. I understand why other people love pop songs. So for all of those campy, happy, song loving people this entry is dedicated to you. I have found a pop group that we both can enjoy. Even though their latest album can fall under dance music their overall vibe is pop. They are called Alphabeat. Not Alphabet….but Alpha-BEAT. I practically drove myself crazy when I couldn’t find a band named Alphabet. Then I realized I was totally misspelling their name. So Alphabeat are based in the UK and have made some pretty significant hits since 2007.

One of them is called What Is Happening. Its just sticks with you and catchy. And the best part is, no one can disagree that this song belongs on the radio. I mean, I’m listening to it right now and my head can’t stop moving with the beat. If you like this song, you should really hear their new stuff. From what I’ve heard their just released a new album and its number 39 on the UK charts. The new album is called the Beat Is… and I think is really shows what Alphabeat are really all about. Fun, cool tunes, with a little flare.

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So incase you guys couldn’t tell, I’m feeling the whole Latin music scene right now. But this band isn’t really from that realm. These guys can be labeled a hardcore punk  band but their latest album features Mariachi music. Yes…Mariachi music. And yes, this is music where the guys are dress in those silver studded charro outfits with wide brimmed hats. Now if you take away all of the negative connotations or bad stereotypes that surround this genre you will hear the Mariachi music has so much to offer.

Throughout its history this kind of music has experimented with vocals, brass, wind, and percussion instruments. In my opinion it has influenced many bands in the Latin world that have crossed over to mainstream. For instance, Ozomatli, Selena (although she was more Tejano music), Cafe Tacuba, and let’s no forget Luis Miguel. Now if you know none of these people, please do yourself a favor and listen to them. I’ll get off of my soap box now and allow you to discover what Latin music really has to offer. And no, J.Lo is not one of them!!

As for right now, the band I am writing about cannot be considered traditional Mariachi music. Not even close. But I don’t think this is a bad thing. I enjoy their music because its adds some new flavor. Some innovation to genre that has remained untouched by other artists. I would argue that this band are showing people what Mariachi can do when you combine it with other kinds of genres. I believe in a world where all kinds of music can work well together, in harmony. So, hardcore punk Mariachi music doesn’t bother me. In fact, I’m going to advocate it from now on.

Oh no hear I am rambling on when I should be promoting this band like crazy. There name is The Bronx and they hail from LA. I don’t think their Mexican or even Latin. But whatever, they make pretty Mariachi much and I will blare their stuff when I’m cruising the barrios from now on. Course, this may not work in all situations. But whatever, I will stand behind this project and make sure everyone around me know who The Bronx are. You should do the same!

And if for some reason you hate this album listen to their “normal” stuff and you will hear it. The range, the talent, the art. So yay for The Bronx. Yay for Mariachi music. And finally yay for the people who know what Mariachi is all about.

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Flamenco, Reggae, Cuban flare, and North American folk music. These genres are radically different in some cases… but one group has managed to combine these sounds as if they were meant to be together. How is this so? Well, this requires another history lesson. On their myspeace page they mentioned something called Ida Y Vuelta (Round-Trip) songs. Apparently, this is a type of music that uses certain styles from Flamenco. For those who don’t know Flamenco originated in Spain or Spanish culture. Yes, Spanish does not mean Mexico or El Salvador. It means its from Spain!! But what makes Ida Y Vuelta music so innovative is that its mixture of Cuban, African, and Native American music.

Why this exchange of music genres occurred, I’m not really sure. If someone wants to explain to me the historical background for this I would really appreciate it.

But back to the music! They are called Locura. The stuff that I have heard from them are from their MySpace made my ears itch for more. Everytime I hear their tracks I just want to get up and dance. And no, not like Lady Gaga wants me to dance but actually bust a few Latin moves. What is the name of this wonderful and hypnotic band? They are called Locura and they reside in the great city of Oakland.

But I have to warn you, the video above doesn’t really do them justice. This was the only one I could find of them but at the very least it shows you how their music varies. But you have to go on their MySpace to see…no hear this. I highly recommend Una Ola.

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But if you do, good for you. I have a new video from them and its a little crazy but funny. I don’t know if they were going for that but that was my interpretation. And it really made me want to buy this video game. It seemed really cool.

I’m not really sure why these guys broke up but a part of me was really upset when I heard the news. I had predicted that this band and Gym Class would known among MTV viewers. That wasn’t an insult, I swear. I just thought everyone would know and love their stuff. Unfortunately, GCH are sell outs (Hand in the cookie jar, really. C’mon guys!!!) And Moros Eros will probably never be recognized for their music. (Yes, their name is Moros Eros. Cool right?) They originated in Georgia and released a total of three albums. The only reason I found out why they broke-up was because they wanted different things in their music careers. But the stuff they left behind felt like cliffhangers for a cool and exciting album. To me, it felt like of the final episode of the Sopranos. You huffed and puffed and yelled, “WTF?!?” but you still didn’t get any answers.

Even so,  I am asking you, iPod Addicts, to give this band a chance. Their sound is nothing like any other band and that’s really hard to come by these days. Plus, I want to know if these guys are devil worshippers or just pulling my leg because some of their lyrics kind of on the other side the spectrum when it comes to Christian rock. At first I thought they were Christian but on more than one occasion the band member scoffed at this label when it came to them. So someone out there, please tell me the answer me to this dumbfounding question. Is Moros Eros a Christian band or are they every Republicans nightmare? Don’t worry guys, they haven’t made me turn to the dark side. Course, I can’t speak for everyone. But now, just enjoy the music and have fun with Moros Eros.

Or at the very least you recognize his band, Cobra Starship. You know… they had that song, Snakes on a Plane (Bring It) or most recently Good Girls Go Bad. Yeah, he’s the one in the white ray-ban glasses. (Which I heard you can buy on their website.) Well, before Gabe was part of Cobra Starship he was the front man for another band.

They were called Midtown and man could they rock. They brought the whole New Jersey basement scene to a whole new level . But they were overshadowed by the likes of My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, and let’s not forget Bon Jovi. (I just wanted to add them into the mix.) Even with a whole music movement behind them, they still disbanded in 2005. As we all know Gabe went in a new direction with his music. So did Tyler and Heath. And Rob decided to manage music instead of making it. All very cool jobs but I still can’t help but dream of the day these guys get back together. I want to see what Midtown can do… given the right circumstances, of course. So how about guys? One more Midtown album and let’s see where it takes you. Let’s see where it takes all of us. In the mean time enjoy the songs that I provided. I couldn’t between these two. That would just be cruel to you and to me.

I have been told that I don’t much variety when it comes to my music. I respond to these people with a raised eye brow and side smile that would even make the devil blush. Then I give them a list of the genres I have on my iPod. That always gets them because I don’t look like  the type that would have 2Pac before Beethoven. Let alone house before metal. That’s right you’re reading a blog from a heavy metal fan and proud of it. But I have to tell you, metal changed a lot since the glory days of Black Sabbath. I sort of like where its going but there are some things I just don’t understand. But I don’t want to go on a rant about how Hot Topic is the soul crushing franchise that has betrayed everything punk, metal, and even goth. No, I will not say such things. Instead, I want to introduce to band by the name of Farmer Boys. Not much is known about the whereabouts or plans for this band. Fans fear that their lack of press or new releases maybe due the fact that they have broken-up. (I do not know either.) But what is known is that their album The Other Side showed great promise and even scored them as the opening act for the Papa Roach (when they were cool) tour in 2001. And another thing I can tell you is that these guys aren’t even from America. They are from Germany and Germany has some hardcore fans. Just look at the footage when Pantera played there. But anyways, Farmer Boys have to come back and take over the charts because this generation of head bangers needs their tunes. Some of the stuff out there is too commercialized and catchy to heavy. I want less eyeliner and more guitar solos that will make my face melt. So Farmer Boys, if you’re out there come back. We’re ready for you.

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Even though this band is no longer together and there seems to be no hope for a reunion, I still feel obligated to spread the word about them. I have to admit I didn’t like them when they first came out. I thought they were just another screamo band that just needed to go away. But then a year later I stumbled upon another song of theirs and it really did make me think twice about my original opinion. Then tragedy struck when I heard they had broken up and the album that I absolutely loved was their last. But to anyone who is curious about their sound I can only describe it best with one word.
Masterful.

The band name was Dead Poetic and they were from a place called Dayton, Ohio. They had the potential to do something great. But alas, the lead singer had a change of heart when it came to his priorities. He wanted a life of solitude with his wife and graphic design business. (Sorry, that sounds a little boring to me. But what do I know.) So what are we take from this blog entry? Just because this band will no longer make music doesn’t mean we shouldn’t listen to the stuff they released. In fact, we should enjoy what is out there and any other bands that are no longer together. We should consider the music precious and in some cases, sacred. It may sound sad or stupid but in the end good music needs to be heard. And I would put Dead Poetic as one of those bands that has to b

Recommended Tracks: Sinless City, New Medicines, and Blistering Tears

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Man, I am getting tired of good bands breaking up. I know tons of bands that are no longer together because of X.Y,Z. But the sad part is they broke up before they even had a chance for people to get to know their stuff. Well I’ve had enough. I have decided to write about bands that should get together because its time for the world to know what they were missing. So get ready iPod addicts. You don’t know what’s going to hit you!!

As strange it may sound, I typically don’t watch TV. Its not that I don’t enjoy it (I’m not that strange). Its just that I find myself spending all hours of the day watching shows or re-runs to the point that I become lazy. And then I realize I spent a whole day watching TV when I should have been having a life. To avoid this outcome I wait until I’m on break from school to watch my shows. So the this past week I was able to watch one of my favs, Ugly Betty. Well, in one particular show Betty was trying to get over her ex, Matt, but she had to act strong at a party they were both at because he brought a date and she was alone. But then a cool sound came on when Betty decided to dance by herself. The song was called Bulletproof and the band who created such a sound was La Roux. Not only did it make the scene powerful and enchanting. I need more. So I got a copy of their album and man, their stuff is good.

Now the way companies are marketing La Roux can be compared to a solo act. But in fact its more like a singer (Eleanor Jackson) and producer (Ben Langmaid) act. They both write songs and both contribute to the music. The thing I find amazing about their bio is that the album I bought is their first. I thought maybe they had like ten demos and a couple of albums out there but I found out that this is their demo. They worked on it for five years in a cramped apartment and on a few recording instruments. Then they were signed. That only happens to one in a million bands out there and I’m glad it happened to La Roux. I am hoping for the best from them and I think you guys out there would get a really good kick out of them. So without any further ado here’s La Roux.

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